Kirk Palmer Associates Leading CEO Search for Destination Maternity

While the search is being completed, the company named Melissa Payner-Gregor, an independent director for the company, as interim CEO, effective immediately.

Ms. Payner-Gregor succeeds Allen Weinstein, who held the interim role for four months. Mr. Weinstein took over after Anthony Romano stepped down last year after serving as CEO for three years.

“We are grateful to Allen for his service on our board for the last seven plus years as well as his recent service as interim CEO and the progress that has been made,” said Barry Erdos, chairman of the board. “We are also appreciative of Melissa’s willingness to lead the company during this period of transition, and we are confident that she and our senior management team will continue our forward progress, as we to look for the right chief executive to lead Destination Maternity’s next phase of growth.”

Destination Maternity Corp. is the world’s largest designer and retailer of maternity apparel. It operates more than 1,100 retail locations in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, including 500 stores, predominantly under the trade names Motherhood Maternity, A Pea in the Pod and Destination Maternity, and 646 leased department locations.

Founded in 1987, Kirk Palmer Associates is composed entirely of retail and fashion industry veterans. The firm’s partners have placed more than 1,000 CEOs, presidents, vice presidents and other senior executives at over 200 retail and wholesale companies across all channels, sectors and functional areas.

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Transformational chief executives are regarded as innovative leaders with a world view. And they are clearly in high demand. Herbert Mines Associates, a recruitment firm that specializes in the retail and consumer areas, recently reported that 31 percent of incoming retail CEOs consider international expansion a key strategic priority, making that global mindset a competitive differentiator. Many of the search firm’s short lists now include executives with this background.

In recent years, 47 percent of public retail companies with revenues exceeding $1 billion underwent a chief executive change (up from 34 percent during the previous three years). During the past 10 years, 71 percent of retail companies have experienced a switch in CEO. That’s good news for recruiters mining the space for search work.

Sonia Prais, a partner in the retail, beauty & lifestyle practice group at Ward Howell International, acknowledged that retail is undergoing a challenging period. “However, those who move nimbly, truly listen to their customers, learn how to respond on a ‘real-time’ basis to their needs, give outstanding customer service, and truly offer a highly efficient and workable omni-channel experience that entertains their customers will prevail and thrive,” she said.

“E-commerce has delivered and will continue to deliver as promised, and stores that have over-saturated with ‘bricks and mortar’ will adjust,” said Ms. Prais. “Customers still want to visit actual stores but that option must be offered in conjunction with the most up-to-date technology, whether in the store, on a mobile device, in an office, or at home. The retailers who will win and thrive will be those who can offer a seamless shopping experience. Clients are hiring for e-commerce, mobile development and roles that enhance customer experience and enjoyment. That’s where we see big opportunities ahead for talent.”